Hunting

KNF Officials Must Survey Public for Opinions and Render Decision to Finalize

Aug. 17, 2011 -- The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC), in a special meeting to consider changing already established still hunting dates to allow for deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest (KNF), today approved a motion for a nine day period in December for that activity. KNF officials at the meeting explained and answered questions regarding the US Forest Service process.

“Because the federal ban on deer hunting with dogs on Kisatchie has been reversed, the commission felt the issue should be reconsidered in fairness to those hunters who choose to hunt deer with dogs,” said Stephen Sagrera, LWFC chairman.

The dates approved by the Commission, Dec. 17 through 25, would pertain to the Catahoula, Winn and Kisatchie Ranger Districts and the Evangeline Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District.

“The Forest Service will proceed with addressing those deficiencies identified in the previous process and will include opportunities for the public to comment and participate,” said Michael Balboni, KNF Forest Supervisor. “The goal is to make a new decision this fall.”

Commission action, taken as a declaration of emergency, was necessary since the 2011-12 deer hunting dates recommended by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) had been finalized following the public comment period provided from February through May of 2011. LDWF had not included deer hunting with dog dates as part of the proposed 2011-12 deer hunting season due to a decision announced by KNF officials in the fall of 2010 that deer hunting with dogs would no longer be allowed on KNF property.

US Forest Service officials in Washington, D.C., reversed the regional decision to discontinue deer hunting with dogs indicating that the rationale used to make that decision was not sound. That information was presented to the Commission at their Aug. 4 regular monthly meeting, prompting a reconsideration of the 2011-12 deer hunting dates already in place.

If deer hunting with dogs on KNF proceeds on the dates approved by the Commission today, the permitting process for that activity, as established by LDWF in 2010, will again be required for all hunters during the Dec. 17 – 25 portion of the deer season on KNF.

There is no charge for the LDWF-sponsored hunts on Nov. 5 and 6, provided as a quality experience for young waterfowl hunters. The participants in the hunts will be determined by a lottery drawing.

Applications for the lottery should be submitted to LDWF before close of business on Sept. 15, 2011. One applicant will be selected based on the Office of Wildlife’s seven field office geographic coverage areas plus one participant selected from the state at large.

Applicants must be 15 years of age and younger. Selected hunters must be accompanied in the blind by a parent or guardian, though the youth will be the only one permitted to possess a firearm.

Applications may be obtained by contacting any of LDWF's field offices or by visiting the LDWF website athttp://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/lottery-hunts. Completed applications may be delivered in person to Room 458 of the LDWF Building in Baton Rouge, or by mail. The mailing address is: Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Attention: White Lake Youth Waterfowl Hunt at P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffbor follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

August 15, 2011-The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) wants to remind citizens that a valid Louisiana hunting license is still required to take outlaw quadrupeds including feral hogs with the new laws that went into effect today, Aug. 15.

House Bill 294, signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal as Act 95, makes it legal beginning today, to take outlaw quadrupeds, nutria and beaver at night from March through August on private property with any legal firearm. Anyone taking part in these activities at night is required to notify the parish sheriff’s office 24 hours in advance of any such hunt.

Additionally, House Bill 169, signed into law by Governor Jindal as Act 29, allows the take of nuisance quadrupeds at night using sound suppressors on the firearm(s) utilized, beginning today. Anyone using such a weapon must have in possession a valid permit issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The use of sound suppressed weapons is restricted to the take of outlaw quadrupeds, including coyotes and feral hogs, from March through August on private property.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has scheduled a special meeting for 9:30 AM on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 in the Louisiana Room of the Wildlife and Fisheries Headquarters Building, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

1. Roll Call

2. To consider Declaration of Emergency to amend the 2011-2012 hunting season to allow hunting deer with dogs on Kisatchie National Forest

Aug. 11, 2011-- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is now accepting applications for waterfowl group hunts for up to 12 hunters per group on the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WCA).

The cost of the 2011-12 waterfowl season hunts will be $30,000 for each group and the application form is available on the LDWF website at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/lottery-hunts. A completed application form and $2,500 deposit must be submitted to LDWF by the close of business on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2011.

Interested groups must select one, two-day group hunt per application. When selecting dates from the dates offered (example: Nov. 12-13), it is understood that arrival will be the afternoon before (example: Nov. 11). The two consecutive days of hunting do not include the arrival day, which will be the day before from 3 to 5 p.m.

LDWF will then select one application by random lottery drawing for each hunt offered. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must submit a separate application for each two-day group hunt they wish to reserve.

Applications must be accompanied by a bank draft, money order or other liquid instrument made payable to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in the amount of $2,500. If the application is selected, the deposit is non-refundable, and the applicant will be notified by mail and required to submit the final payment of $27,500 no later than 14 days prior to arrival.

The fee covers up to 12 hunters and includes the following: transportation to and from the airport (Jennings or Lake Charles), all food and beverages, two-night stay at the White Lake Lodge, professional hunting and fishing guides, hunting and fishing licenses, steel shot shotgun shells for waterfowl hunts and lead shot for skeet range, the use of shotguns and fishing gear, bird and fish cleaning and packaging.

On the arrival day, hunters will watch a safety film and then be issued hunting and fishing licenses. If time allows, the group will shoot skeet in the late afternoon hours. Day two starts with a morning waterfowl hunt from 6 to 9:30 a.m. After the hunt, the group can fish or shoot clay targets on the skeet range or sporting clays course. On day three, a morning waterfowl hunt is scheduled from 6 to 9:30 a.m., and checkout is no later than noon, after lunch.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

Aug. 11, 2011– Outdoors enthusiasts utilizing Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area (WMA) now have an additional 4,955 acres for hunting and other outdoor activities based on a lease agreement recently signed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and International Paper (IP).

“We are pleased to have been able to arrange this no cost lease agreement and make this announcement prior to the opening of the 2011-12 hunting season,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “We will continue to negotiate with International Paper for eventual transfer of the property.”

The newly leased acreage, north of the existing WMA land owned by LDWF, includes prime waterfowl habitat known locally as Wham Brake. The north Louisiana WMA, encompassing acreage in Morehouse, Ouachita and Richland Parishes, now totals 21,948 acres with IP leased acres included.

“Wham Brake has a rich history as one of the premier waterfowl areas in northeast Louisiana,” said IP’s David Haynes. “International Paper made the area available to the public free of charge for more than 50 years. The fact that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is taking over management of the area will ensure that continues in the future. We are grateful for their efforts to make this happen.”

LDWF is allowing removal of duck blind structures or other private property within the Wham Brake acreage through Sept. 9, 2011. Additional time may be considered for removal, but hunting from any permanent structures will not be allowed. The department is interested in acquiring some existing blinds for possible use in youth waterfowl and Louisiana Hunting Heritage Program hunts, and will evaluate any structure offered for a possible transfer of ownership. The LDWF Monroe field office can be contacted for more information at 318-343-4044.

The existing WMA property provides two greentree waterfowl impoundments totaling 2,400 acres, utilized by species including mallards, wood ducks, and other non-game species. Public hunting options are also available for deer, squirrel, rabbit and woodcock, and a primitive camping area is provided north of U.S. Highway 80.

For more information and directions to Russell Sage WMA, visit the LDWF web site at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma or contact Jerald Owens or Charles Booth at 318-343-4044.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

Aug. 10, 2011-- With hunting season less than a month away, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reminds the public that there is still time available to obtain hunter education certification.

Anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1969, is required to have successfully completed a hunter education course to hunt in the state of Louisiana, unless they are under the direct supervision of someone over 18 years old that has a valid hunting license or proof of completion of a hunter education course. Hunter education courses cover firearms safety, general outdoors safety and the principals of wildlife management. To locate hunter education course information, connect to the LDWF web site at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/hunter-education .

Hunters have two options for hunter education certification: register for and attend the 10-hour classroom course, which is usually conducted over 2-3 days, or chose the home study option. With the home study option, the user will study the course material either on-line or via CD-ROM and attend a mandatory field day. Both methods will provide the student with the required hunter education certification once a written test is passed at the end of the classroom course or field day. However, the home study option is recommended for students 14 years of age or older. There is no minimum age for attending a hunter education class, but a person must be at least 10 years old to receive hunter education certification.

Hunters who have already received their hunter education certification should verify that their hunter education card is available and in their possession prior to their first hunting trip. If a duplicate card is needed, an application may be completed on-line at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/hunter-education. A temporary duplicate card can be printed immediately and there is no fee for a duplicate hunter education card.

Hunters planning out of state hunts should consult the hunter education requirements for the states they plan to visit. Requirements differ from state to state, but a Louisiana hunter education certification is valid in all states.

The next regular Advisory Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries headquarters located at 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Aug. 8, 2011-- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is now seeking fields to lease from private landowners for the Sept. 3 opening of the 2011-12 dove season.

Since 1994, LDWF has leased fields for public hunting access on the opening day of dove season. Suitable fields are recently harvested grain fields or freshly cut pastures that are 75 acres or larger. The fields should also be attracting large numbers of doves.

Lease payments vary based on the size of the field and range from $750 for a 75-acre field to $2,000 for fields over 500 acres. The fields will be open to public dove hunting on Sept. 3 only and LDWF personnel will be present at the field to issue permits and monitor the hunt. Hunters 16 years of age and older are charged $10 to hunt, while hunters 15 years of age and younger hunt for free.

Landowners seeking more information about the dove field lease program can contact Jeff Duguay at 225-765-2353 or jduguay@wlf.la.gov.

Aug. 5, 2011-- The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will recognize the two 2010 Youth Hunters of the Year at the 2011 LOWA Conference Awards Banquet in Houma on Aug. 6.

Thirteen-year-old Megan Boles of Provencal was selected as the 2010 Female Youth Hunter of the Year and 12-year-old Ben Broussard of Sulphur was selected as the 2010 Male Youth Hunter of the Year.Both young hunters submitted a story about their 2010-11 hunting season experience along with photographs of the hunt. LOWA and LDWF then selected the winners.

The Youth Hunter of the Year Program is part of the Louisiana Youth Hunter Registry Program that was initiated several years ago by both LOWA and LDWF to recognize the state’s youth hunters and encourage them to keep the hunting tradition alive in Louisiana. In addition to being recognized as the Youth Hunters of the Year, Megan and Ben received gift certificates from Bowie Outfitters in Baton Rouge. The other participants in the program received certificates recognizing their hunting achievements during the 2010 season and one individual will be selected by random drawing to receive a gift certificate from Bowie Outfitters.

Megan is the daughter of Charles and Kelly Boles and has grown up hunting with her dad. While she had hunted deer prior to the 2010 deer season, she had never bagged one with a muzzleloader. During the 2010 primitive firearm season, she harvested her first buck with a muzzleloader rifle on an afternoon hunt with her dad. Megan wrote that her dad has taught her all the safety tips and rules for hunting with a gun and even though she normally hunts with her .243 she was very comfortable with a “smoke pole” in her hands. She made a great 80-yard shoulder shot on a nice 8-pointer. Megan is also a successful turkey hunter and enjoys hunting with her dad, an accomplished turkey hunter. Megan said her dad “puts the turkeys to sleep on the roost and wakes them up in the mornings.” Megan loves to hunt with both mom and dad and has enough hunting savvy to hunt alone.

The Louisiana Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is one of the sponsors of the Youth Hunters Program and Luke Lewis, regional biologist with the NWTF said, “The Louisiana Chapter is glad to support LOWA and LDWF with the Youth Hunter of the Year Program. Megan comes from a family that lives the outdoor lifestyle, with a mother and father who have dedicated their careers to conservation with the US Forest Service on the Kisatchie Ranger District. Both of them have been a big part of providing Megan with an appreciation for nature and the outdoors. On behalf of our 6,400 members of the LA Chapter, and our state board of directors, we congratulate Megan and know she will develop into a young conservationist with the appreciation of being a good steward of the land and its resources.”

Ben Broussard is the son of Jeanne and James Ed Broussard and made his first duck hunt with his dad during the 2010 Thanksgiving holidays. In his story, Ben also wrote about his dad and how safety conscious he was during the hunt. Bently, their black lab, shared the blind with the two hunters and did the work of retrieving the ducks. Ben killed a green wing teal with his first shot and later bagged a widgeon drake as it hovered over the spinning decoy. It was a great day for young Ben, his dad and Bently; the hunters brought home nine ducks, but more importantly, as Ben wrote, memories of a day he will never forget.

This is the first time that a duck hunter has been selected as the Youth Hunter of the Year and Ben has broken new ground for the program and hopefully will promote participation by other youth waterfowl hunters.

The Baton Rouge Chapter of Delta Waterfowl has been a sponsor of the program since day one. Jonathan Walker, chapter president, congratulated Ben on his achievement saying, “Ben represents the future of this sport in our great state of Louisiana.” He added, “Delta Waterfowl’s mission has always been to secure the future of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting and the BR Chapter is proud to have a part in this important program and supporting the next generation of hunters.”

LOWA and LDWF jointly recognize the important sponsorship support for the program provided by: The Bayou State Bowhunters Association, the South LA Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association, Bowie Outfitters in Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and Andrew Harrison with Harrison Law, LLC.

“Programs such as this could not be possible without the support of these organizations and individuals,” said Kenny Ribbeck, chief of the LDWF’s Wildlife Division. “Attracting youth to the sport of hunting has taken greater emphasis in our agency over the past decade as hunter numbers declined. Along with the Youth Hunter Registry Program, LDWF is currently launching a new program, the Louisiana Hunting Heritage Program, aimed at introducing the sport of hunting to any age individual through mentors. We will continue to provide these programs to insure that the rich hunting heritage in Louisiana continues.”